ENC 1145: Writing About: Anime and Manga Adaptations of Western Literature ENC1145 (Section 35G3, Class 13732, SP20) Brandon Murakami T:2-3 (8:30-10:25a) / R:3 (9:35-10:25a)
[email protected] Room: T: TUR2354 / R: MAT 0009 OH: TBA COURSE DESCRIPTION Anime and manga’s present popularity in the United States (and globally) cannot be understated. Since its introduction in the 1960s, to its ‘boom,’ ‘bubble,’ and ‘burst’ through the 80s, 90s, and 00s, respectively, the two distinctly Japanese mediums are currently enjoying an all-time high of interest and consumption outside of Japan. While the majority of anime/manga series are wildly original (example: Deadman Wonderland, Space Dandy, Attack on Titan, FLCL, etc.), it is true that a great many of these stories are inspired from non-Japanese narratives. This course explores the how and why of these Japanese adaptions of non-Japanese literature— via the mediums of anime/manga—are so popular. Some topics we’ll consider throughout the course are: • The role of adaption/reframing in relation to distinctly Japanese issues (historical, cultural, social, political, etc.) • Problems of genre, medium, narrative theory and visual theory • The ethics of ‘responsible’ representations versus ‘irresponsible’ appropriation(s) • Issues of trans/international cultural flows • Questions of (intended) audiences and reception, fandom, the politics of gender and ‘making’ and how these creators grapple with the ‘untranslatable’ in their adaptions At the core of these topics and this course is the notion that Japan is just as ‘inspired’ about Western Literature just as much as the West finds inspiration in the East.